Hi, I'm looking to hear stories from peeps who have done my dream--go see a game live. Any figures relating to total expenses would be greatly appreciated.
How far back are you talking about? I mean, after landing in OT - I paid possibly 3 quid for a metro tram ticket w/ return from the Hatters hostel in downtown Manchester to the stadium. I paid about 4 pounds for a 6 pack of Stella which I drank with a family that took me in. I didn't buy anything at the stadium, and afterwards spent 6 quid on an Indian takeaway. Plus the match ticket - which for me were 2 friendlies.
The one regret I have from the last time I went there 4 years ago was I had shytty tickets in the upper NW quadrant. I got the tickets from the USA supporters group but going all that way and seeing little dots on the field was a bit of a let down as we were way too far from the action. Next time I'll make sure to splash the cash to be in a better location even if that means going to the touts. I'm thinking of making a trip in the next 2 years with my son this time.
Yeah I hear that. The preseason I went, I saw Ole's game midfield a few rows up. It was mental, I heard Rio chatting to SAF, Scholesy talking, Solskjaer laughing, and the game play was brilliant too, seeing Ole right in front of me. Then I saw Juve from up in the Stretford end, and it was harder to tell who was even who. That being said, the atmosphere is far different in the 2 places. Midfield and the bulk of the stadium was silent, I tried to get Ole chants going and was told off by fans/stewards. In the Stetford we made a helluva ruckus with no issue, that was cool.
For these early games of the season at least, a membership and nothing much more will probably do. My dad re-joined the membership scheme for the first time in a good while this coming season, and as he's not marvellous on computers, it's been me who's been buying the tickets for him. Fulham was advertised as a ballot, he went in it and got a ticket but then they couldn't have got enough applicants straight away as tickets continued to be sold to members after the deadline. They then went to a stage where you can actually select your seat in the ground out of what was left and are still on sale now. The Wigan and Stoke matches went straight to the select your seat stage and he picked up a ticket for those too. West Ham went straight to the same thing although so far he hasn't bothered, and Spurs at home is doing the same again, think he said you can buy a seat from Friday. The choice of seats hasn't been fantastic for him so far, but there has been some variety. Will look up what he's got so far in a minute. I guess also while they're still selling season tickets they're not necessarily releasing all the one-off match tickets in all the blocks until we get closer to the games themselves. Right, Fulham he's in the 3rd tier of the east stand. Wigan he got into north stand tier 2. Stoke he's in the Stretford end tier 3. Didn't see any of the really cheap seats for those games which were his preference (bottom of the east/west stand), but yeah, still some choice.
I'm going to try to go with my dad next september. Should I join now so I have a better selection? I would be splashing the cash for decent seats as it's my first time and won't be going back any time soon after that.
Next September as in September 2013? No need, besides, memberships only last for one season. Go here (then click on buy tickets for each game) if you want an idea of what's still available. Unless some new ticketing scheme is introduced between now and then, or unless we're in a huge match early season then I'd imagine it would be a similar story next year too.